Save Punaluu

SAVE PUNALU'U PRESS RELEASES

Punalu'u has been a living classroom for centuries and if protected, can continue to be an "Eco-Campus" for students and educators from around the world. With public input and community involvement we can create a positive vision that comes from people of Ka'u who have protected its resources for nearly two thousand years. We welcome your involvement, ideas and participation to help save this invaluable natural resource before it is too late.

First, we must come together to stop Sea Mountain V, a Beverly Hills Investment Firm who wants to turn Punalu'u Black Sand Beach (The only public beach in Ka`u with easy access) into a luxury "eco" five star resort with 1,500 to 1,800 homes, a shopping center and hotel.

"We hope you will join with us to stop this massive development that will destroy our way of life forever. Punalu'u is one of the last beaches in the state that has not become overshadowed by a huge towering hotel and resort complex. And we want to keep it that way."
-- Kupuna Pele Hanoa, Pres. Ka'u Preservation

Working together we can stop this development, preserve Punalu'u forever as a living classroom and protect Punalu'u as an essential gathering place for local families, fishermen and cultural practitioners.

The annual summer cultural and environmental education program "Kukulu Kumuhana o Ka‘u" continues in its 16th year at Punalu`u for kamali‘i (students), that are seven to seventeen years old. Founded in 1990, by Keolalani Hanoa (July, 1960-March, 2006) the program allows students to learn about their history, culture, customs, traditions, protocols and the protection of our environment: mauka (mountains) to makai, immersing students in traditional Hawaiian Teaching "Hands on Experiencing."